Birth control is any method, device, or procedure used to prevent pregnancy. Also known as contraceptives, these come in various forms, from pills and barrier methods like condoms to surgical procedures such as tubal ligation and vasectomy.

One of the more common birth control methods is the pill, otherwise known as the oral contraceptive, which has different types.

The Different Types of Birth Control Pills

There are currently two types of hormonal birth control pills:

• Combined Pills. These contain estrogen and progestin. Combined pills prevent pregnancy in two ways by:

  • Preventing your body from ovulating

  • Causing your cervical mucus to thicken and your uterine lining to thin out, preventing sperm from coming into contact with and fertilizing an egg.

• Progestin-only Pills. As the name suggests, this pill only has one hormone: progestin. These pills work by thickening your cervical mucus and thinning your uterine lining to prevent any fertilized eggs from implanting, thus preventing any pregnancy development. These pills may also prevent ovulation.

The Benefits of Birth Control Pills

Aside from preventing pregnancy, birth control pills also have other medical benefits such as maintaining regular and lighter periods, improving acne, and decreasing menstrual cramps. The pills’ effects are also reversible — if you stop taking them, you’ll get your normal cycle back, and you can get pregnant eventually.

There may be side effects to taking oral contraceptives, which can affect every woman differently. Some of the more common side effects are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Breast Tenderness

• Mood Swings

Parting from the Pill: Doing It Safely

The decision to part from the pill may be brought about by various personal reasons. And as easy as it is to begin taking birth control pills, parting from them safely is an altogether different matter. As with taking oral contraceptives, getting rid of the pill involves seeking the help of a medical professional. 

Here are some important steps that you should consider when planning to go off the pill to avoid withdrawal symptoms and health problems:

• Talk to your gynecologist. Don’t be afraid to ask your gynecologist questions. Take notes if you can on what steps you should take next. Talking to your gynecologist can help ease some apprehension and fears that you might have, and it’s always best to be properly informed before taking any further actions.

• Prep Work. Get ready to deal with changes that come with going off the pill. Symptoms such as menstrual cramps may be alleviated by taking pain relievers and using heat packs. Use apps to help track your menstrual cycle during this phase.

• Another less known fact about Hormonal BC is that it can effect the vagina’s natural PH. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is common when the vagina’s natural PH is off. There are several ways to avoid BV by eating healthy, avoiding douching and some over the counter bv treatments.

• Stop Using the Oral Contraceptives. You may opt to stop using the pills after finishing the pack, as stopping mid-pack may cause changes to your menstrual cycle. After stopping, your body might undergo changes. Give your body enough time to adjust to this.

• Monitor your health. Continue to monitor your health even after you’ve stopped using the pills.

Observe these steps carefully to ensure that you get off the pill safely, and always seek out the advice of a medical health professional before going off the pill.